
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson
Al Torres
Oct. 3, 2024
How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.
Who do you credit? I credit my family, my community, and my spiritual connection. Houston is a place where opportunities exist. I did my MBA at Rice University and my Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology at UPenn. I am so grateful for the enriching communities of Rice and UPenn where they genuinely want to see their students thrive. These institutions have become my springboard from which I feel I could jump with the knowledge and confidence to launch the concept of Define Living. And, without any doubt, I give credit to my family and friends. I used to get a lot of inquisitive looks when I would talk about launching a fitness brand or a franchise brand. However, I now feel very loved and supported by the people closest to me when I tell them about a new project that I am focusing on. They can sense my passion, and that is contagious.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others?
Here are several:
1) Swim in your own lane.
2) Learn as much as you can about your industry while getting paid by someone else.
3) Starting your own business is risky, time-consuming, and challenging, but your passion will take you far.
4) It’s okay to be skeptical, but avoid becoming cynical.
5) As Mother Theresa stated, “What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.”
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? I am so happy with how well our first Define Living has been received. I worked hard to build a program that was transforming and accessible. To know that we are attracting a group of people who are diverse in every sense of the word while elevating their wellbeing is incredibly motivating for me each day. This inspires me to bring this concept nationwide and add more health and wellbeing to communities across the globe!
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Sneak Peek: Check Out Houston-Based Foreign Fare’s Spring 2025 Collection
Arianna Vetere
Feb. 6, 2025
A new look from the soft landings collection
FROM THE OWNERS of popular Montrose haunts Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart is another jetset-focused business. Owners Thy and Matthew Mitchell launched Foreign Fare in the fall of 2023 with long-haul travelers in mind. The pieces are wrinkle-free and designed to be functional as well as stylish. The line was recently featured in Travel & Leisure as a “first class look.”
The Spring 2025 collection includes three new concepts. The soft landing collection is ultra-plush and made for hitting the streets after an overseas flight. The zip away vest can be worn three ways and is meant to be layered — ideal for going from humid Houston to a cooler destination. And, the PaperChic pants offer an elastic waistband in the back for a comfortable but flattering fit.
“I am thrilled to debut these new styles for Foreign Fare, expanding our collection to meet the needs of today’s modern, stylish traveler,” said Thy. “Inspired by my own travels, I designed these pieces to seamlessly combine sophistication and practicality to offer essentials that elevate the travel experience. I can’t wait to see others embrace them on their adventures.”
Take a look at the Spring 2025 collection below.
The soft landings collection
The soft landings collection
The zip away vest
The PaperChic pant
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The lobby of White Elephant Palm Beach
COVERED IN VERDANT vines and flanked by tall palm trees, the entrance to the White Elephant Palm Beach feels like passing into a stately home, rather than one of the island’s newest resorts. The building is 101 years old, and while the original footprint and façade remain, the interior has a decidedly updated, ultra-luxe beach vibe.
There’s only 32 rooms — and there’s just as many staff present to usher guests to their rooms, or whisk them to a destination of their choosing in a 2025 BMW. (Guests can also zip around town in a complimentary BMW from the hotel on their own.)
The lobby is draped in white curtains with woven rugs and a neutral palette. The centerpiece is “The Lady of the House,” a large painting by Orit Fuchs of a woman in oversize pink sunglasses and a blue headscarf inviting guests to explore the island (which is as colorful as she is!). The resort boasts more than 130 vibrant art pieces that pop against the neutrals of the hotel.
White Elephant has recently partnered with The Cove Club, giving guests access to the exclusive day-party locale. It’s a quick drive in the house BMWs to The Cove Club in West Palm Beach where pretty people sip rosé and listen to house music spun by a DJ with mega-yachts as his backdrop. There’s a splashy pool, a stretch of beach, and all the people watching one could desire.
While in West Palm Beach, head to higher elevation for more yacht views with a side of attractive tourists at Spruzzo, the rooftop restaurant on top of The Ben hotel. The Mediterranean-inspired environs include a 360-degree bar and lots of shareable dishes to pair with the eclectic cocktail menu.
Back in Palm Beach — or, as the locals call it, “the other side of the bridge” — Café Boulud is an al fresco oasis steps from the luxury shopping along Worth Avenue. In the courtyard of the single-story historic Brazilian Court Hotel, Boulud is dotted with white umbrellas shading brunch-goers who dine in an enclave of palm trees. Don’t miss the dover which can be shared and filleted at the table. It pairs perfectly with Boulud’s famous patio sipper, the White Cosmopolitan, served in a large martini glass with a frozen edible flower.
After a day of exploring the island, White Elephant beckons. The rooms are serviced three times a day, so returning is always relaxing and welcoming. Don’t travel far for dinner: Lola41 in the courtyard serves up sushi and international dishes in a buzzy vibe. For a nightcap, walk to Cucina, where the cool kids hang out. After the restaurant tables are closed out for the night, disco balls are illuminated and it turns into a full-on club. Don’t worry about staying out too late — the airport is close and easy to navigate, and the flight to Houston is only 2 and a half hours.
The entrance of the 101 year old building
The pool
The pool
The Park Suite at White Elephant
Capt'n Jose Roll at Lola41
DJ Adam Lipson at The Cove Club
The Seafood Tower at Spruzzo
Al fresco dining at Café Boulud
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